Bunion repair using suture-button construct

ABSTRACT

A method for bunion repair using a suture anchor-button construct. The suture anchor-button construct includes a suture anchor, a button, and a suture strand attached through the suture anchor and passing through holes in the button. A first diameter hole is drilled through the first metatarsal and a second, smaller diameter hole is drilled through the second metatarsal. The suture anchor of the construct is passed through the hole in the first metatarsal and into the hole in the second metatarsal, and the suture anchor is screwed into the second metatarsal. The first metatarsal and the second metatarsal are pushed together to correct the intermetatarsal angular deformity. The button of the construct is then advanced against the medial surface of the first metatarsal, and the button is secured in place by tying the suture ends together.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/012,016, filed Jan.24, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,815, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 12/016,129, filed Jan. 17, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.7,875,058, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/880,723, filed on Jan. 17, 2007, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of surgery and, inparticular, to a bunion repair technique using a suture-button constructand a device.

2. Description of the Related Art

“Bunion” refers to the pathological bump or inflammation on the side ofthe great toe joint associated with either a bursal sac or a bonydeformity involving the first metatarsal bone, the bone to which thegreat toe attaches.

Bunions are also associated with two other conditions: a deviatedposition of the great toe where the great toe leans in towards thesecond toe, and a deviation in the angle between the first and secondmetatarsal bones of the foot. As the first metatarsal bone drifts awayfrom its normal position, the small bones, termed “sesamoids,” foundbeneath the first metatarsal may also become deviated over time.

In some cases, bunion may be so severe that the great toe begins toslant towards the outside of the foot, a condition called “halluxvalgus.”

“Hallux valgus” or “hallux abducto valgus” is associated with buniondeformity, where “hallux” refers to the great toe, “valgus” refers tothe abnormal slant of the great toe, and “abducto” refers to theabnormal slant or inward leaning of the great toe towards the secondtoe.

The abnormalities associated with bunion development are caused by abiomechanical abnormality, where certain tendons, ligaments, andsupportive structures of the first metatarsal are no longer functioningcorrectly. This biomechanical abnormality may be due to the structure ofthe foot-flat feet, excessive ligamentous flexibility, abnormal bonestructure—or certain neurological conditions.

The treatment of hallux valgus deformity includes an assessment of thehallux valgus angle, the intermetatarsal angle and the contribution ofan interphalageus deformity. Additionally, the presence or absence ofarthritic involvement of both the first metatarsocuneiform joint and thefirst metatarsophalangeal joint are also assessed. The orientation ofthe distal metatarsal articular angle and the orientation of the firstmetatarsocuneiform joint are also considered.

A bunion repair is a surgical procedure performed on the great toejoint. The purpose is to correct a deformity of the great toe or toremove a painful bunion at its base.

Bunions may be treated by surgery. For instance, surgical procedures mayaddress some combination of removing the abnormal bony enlargement ofthe first metatarsal, realigning the first metatarsal relative to theadjacent metatarsal, straightening the great toe relative to the firstmetatarsal and adjacent toes, realigning the cartilagenous surfaces ofthe great toe joint, repositioning the sesamoid bones beneath the firstmetatarsal, and correcting any abnormal bowing or misalignment withinthe great toe.

Various methods to correct the intermetatarsal angle are known. Softtissue correction can be achieved by suturing the lateral capsule of thefirst metatarsal to the medial capsule of the second metatarsal,incorporating the intervening, previously released adductor tendon. Aloss of reduction can occur due to the forces that oppose the suturerepair as well as the possibility that poor tissue quality cancontribute to a loss of reduction.

When more rigid deformities of the intermetatarsal angle are present, itis generally reduced by using a distal or proximal osteotomy of thefirst metatarsal. Typically, a surgeon cuts into the foot near thebunion, and removes the excess growth of bone with a bone saw. Dependingon the degree of deformity, the surgeon may need to cut into the bone ofthe great toe and realign the bones so that the great toe no longerslants to the outside. Improving the angle of the great toe andrepairing the metatarsal bones may require a fastening means to holdthem in place. The incisions are later closed with stitches, and abandage is applied.

Such osteotomies can be technically challenging and difficult toperform. Further, the consequences and potential complications from suchsurgical procedures is a daunting list that includes delayed union,malunion, nonunion, excessive shortening of the first metatarsal,avascular necrosis, hardware failure and prolonged protected ambulation.

Thus, there is a need for a bunion repair technique that is simple,flexible and is performed by a minimally invasive lateral approach, withindirect placement of buttons across the first and second metatarsal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art andfulfills the needs noted above by providing a surgical procedure forbunion repair using a suture-button construct with surgically usefulqualities, including indirect placement of buttons and a minimallyinvasive approach.

The surgical procedure of the present invention may be performed underlocal anesthesia, i.e., an injection of Liodocaine, Marcaine orDexamethoasone. The procedure involves making an incision into the skinand carefully working down to the great toe joint and bone. Anosteotomy, cutting of the bone, may be performed utilizing a smallcannulated cutter which allows for a very small incision to be made. Thebony prominence may also be removed using a bone saw. The soft tissuestructures around the joint are then modified. The bones in the greattoe and the bone just behind it, called the first metatarsal, are thencut with a bone saw and corrections are made to them. These correctionsare kept in place with a first and a second button held together by asuture-button construct extending across the first and secondmetatarsal.

The present invention includes a suture anchor-button construct for usein bunion repair formed of a suture anchor, a button, and a suturestrand attached through the suture anchor and passing through holes inthe button. A first diameter hole is drilled through the firstmetatarsal and a second, smaller diameter hole is drilled through thesecond metatarsal. The suture anchor of the construct is passed throughthe hole in the first metatarsal and into the hole in the secondmetatarsal, and the suture anchor is screwed into the second metatarsal.The first metatarsal and the second metatarsal are pushed together tocorrect the intermetatarsal angular deformity. The button of theconstruct is then advanced against the medial surface of the firstmetatarsal, and the button is secured in place by tying the suture endstogether.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention comprises asuture-button construct for use in bunion repair formed of a pair ofbuttons connected by suture strand. The first button has two apertureswhile the second button has four apertures, the apertures to allow thepassage of suture strand. A first suture strand is fed through the firstaperture of the second button and through, in turn, the second and firstapertures of the first button and through the second and fourthapertures of the second button and through, in turn, the second andfirst apertures of the first button and through the third aperture ofthe second button. A second suture strand looped through one of thefirst and second apertures of the first button and is operativelyassociated with a needle. Preferably, the first suture strand is doublelooped through the first and second buttons. The buttons may be formed,for example, of titanium, stainless steel, PolyEtherEther-Ketone (PEEK)or Poly-L Lactic Acid (PLLA). The suture strand may be FiberWire® suturestrand, sold by Arthrex, Inc. of Naples, Fla.

The present invention also includes a surgical method for repairingbunions using the above-described suture-button construct. The methodincludes providing a suture-button construct as described above. Alongitudinal incision over the medial aspect of the firstmetatarsophalangeal joint is made to expose the entire medial eminence.Inserting a cannulated guide wire, a guide hole is formed just proximalto the excised medial eminence at a slight plantar-to-dorsal angle toensure accurate pin placement and penetration of the second metatarsalat its midpoint. Using a cannulated drill bit, a hole is drilled acrossthe first metatarsal and through the second metatarsal for the placementof the suture-button construct. Alternatively, a K-wire (Kirschner wire)may be used to drill the hole.

A pull-through needle with a pull-through suture strand is passedthrough the hole at an angle lateral of the second metatarsal to amedial of the first metatarsal and stopped before a first button entersthe hole. The pull-through suture strand is pulled and a lateral tensionis simultaneously applied on a first suture strand such that the firstbutton of the construct lies sideways for passage through the hole. Thepull-through suture is now advanced while the pull-through needle ispulled medially. The first button of the construct is then advancedthrough the hole until it exits the hole through the first metatarsal onthe medial side of the first metatarsal cortex. Upon exiting the hole,the first button is flipped and a lateral tension is applied on thefirst suture strand to seat the first button against the firstmetatarsal. The pull-through suture is then cut and removed the firstbutton is anchored.

Subsequently, the free ends of the first suture strand are pulled toadvance the second button of the construct to seat the second buttonagainst the second metatarsal. The free ends of the first suture strandare tied by making a surgeon's knot and two reverse half-hitches. Anyremaining first suture strand is removed by cutting and pulling them outof the first and second buttons of the construct.

The surgical method can also optionally be performed in the oppositedirection as that described above, such that the first button ends up onthe lateral side of the second metatarsal.

The surgical method for repairing bunions using a suture-buttonconstruct, as described in the earlier paragraph, may also be performedby inserting the cannulated guide wire by starting between about 2.5 cmand about 3.5 cm distal to metatarsal-cuneiform joint on the firstmetatarsal just below midline, drilling a hole using a cannulated drillbit into the superior second metatarsal metaphyseal bone, observingunder the C-arm, allowing the plantarflexion of the third metatarsal toallow passage of the guide pin, tightening the first button over thesecond metatarsal and the second button over the first metatarsal bypulling on the first suture strand, and securing the first suture strandby a knot.

One of the buttons used in the present invention has an oblong body withfirst and second apertures, each of the apertures being tapered andterminating in a respective apex, the respective apexes being directedaway from each other and being located substantially about alongitudinal mid-line of the oblong body. Preferably, each aperture issubstantially triangular in plan view. More preferably, each of theapertures has first, second and third sides and the first sides of therespective first and second apertures are substantially parallel. Morepreferably, the second and third sides of each aperture are ofsubstantially the same length while being longer than the first side.

The first and second apertures of the oblong button can have any shape,provided that each aperture is tapered and terminates in a respectiveapex. In one preferred embodiment, the aperture is substantiallytriangular in plan view. In another embodiment, the aperture is anegg-shaped or oval aperture, the curved narrower end comprising theapex.

The suture-button construct of the present invention also includes abutton with a round body having four apertures, each of the aperturesbeing located substantially equidistant from the center of the roundbody. Preferably, each aperture is substantially round in plan view.

The round button may have any suitable dimension (diameter andthickness). For example, the round button may have a diameter of about5.5 mm and a thickness of about 1.27 mm. The centers of the fourapertures are about 1.27 mm from the center of the button and thecenters of a first pair of apertures lie substantially along an axispassing through the center of the button. The axis connecting thecenters of the remaining two apertures, i.e., a second pair ofapertures, is substantially perpendicular to the axis connecting thecenters of the first pair of apertures.

The apertures of the round button can have any shape, provided that eachaperture is equidistant from the center of the round body. One preferredembodiment is an aperture, which is substantially round in plan view.Another embodiment is an egg-shaped or oval aperture. The round buttoncan be a cup-shaped button in cross-section.

The suture-button construct and the surgical technique of the presentinvention have several advantages over other existing apparatuses andsurgical procedures: (1) typically, patients who undergo bunion repairin accordance with the present invention are required to wearpost-operation shoe or boot for about 4-5 weeks in comparison to about8-12 weeks for patients who undergo other bunion repair procedures; (2)post-operation morbidity for patients is significantly reduced; and (3)the suture-button construct provides great strength and security incomparison to a soft tissue repair.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the invention that isprovided in connection with the accompanying drawings and illustratedembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of assembled suture-buttonconstruct of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate, respectively, a front, section, and back view ofa round button which forms part of the suture-button construct of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front and section views of an oblong buttonwhich forms part of the suture-button construct of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a cannulated drill bit used in thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A shows a patient's foot with hallux valgus prior to performing abunion repair;

FIGS. 5B and 5B-1 illustrate a method of bunion repair using a distalapproach, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention, and shows a first metatarsophalangeal joint at a preparationstage;

FIGS. 5C and 5C-1 illustrate the medial aspect of the firstmetatarsophalangeal joint of FIG. 5B at a stage subsequent to that shownin FIG. 5B and show the entire medial eminence, in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D illustrates the first metatarsophalangeal joint of FIG. 5B at astage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5C and shows removal of themedial eminence, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5E and 5E-1 illustrate the first metatarsophalangeal joint of FIG.5B at a stage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5D and show a guidewireplaced across the first and second metatarsals and a drill bit drillinga hole in the first and second metatarsals, in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5F, 5F-1 and 5F-2 illustrate the first metatarsophalangeal jointof FIG. 5B at a stage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5E and show aguide pin with pull-through suture strand being advanced in the holedrilled in the first and second metatarsals, in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5G and 5G-1 illustrate the first metatarsophalangeal joint of FIG.5B at a stage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5F and show thepull-through suture strand being pulled to advance a first button of theconstruct through the hole, in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5H illustrates the first metatarsophalangeal joint of FIG. 5B at astage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5G and shows the first button ofthe construct exiting the hole on the medial/lateral side of the firstmetatarsal cortex, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5I illustrates the first metatarsophalangeal joint of FIG. 5B at astage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5H and shows the seating of thefirst button of the construct against the first metatarsal and thepulling of the free ends of the first suture strand of the construct, inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5J and 5J-1 illustrates the first metatarsophalangeal joint ofFIG. 5B at a stage subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5I and show theseating of two buttons of the construct, one each against the first andsecond metatarsals, in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5K shows a patient's foot subsequent to performing a bunion repairin accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5L shows two buttons, one each against the first and secondmetatarsals, placed using a proximal placement technique in accordancewith a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative suture anchor-button construct for use inthe present invention, which has a fully threaded suture anchor at oneend, and a round, cup-shaped button at the opposite end, the sutureanchor and the button being connected by suture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is method and apparatus for bunion repair, whichutilizes a suture-button construct that is placed across the first andsecond metatarsal.

Referring to FIG. 1, the suture-button construct 10 of the presentinvention is formed of a first button 12, a second button 11, a firstsuture strand 13 double looped through the apertures 11 a (FIGS. 2B-2C),12 a (FIG. 3B) of the first button 11 and the second button 12. Thesuture-button construct 10 also includes a pull-through needle 15 with apull-through suture strand 14 looped through an aperture 12 a (FIG. 3B)of the first button 12. The first button 12 is preferably oblong inshape (FIG. 3A). The second button 11 is preferably round in shape(FIGS. 2A and 2C).

TABLE 1 Apparatus of the present invention First Button Overalldimensions: 8.0 mm (length) × 2.6 mm (width) × 1.3 mm (thickness) Basicshape: Oblong in plan shape, with chamfered or rounded corners andedges— this reduces the chance of the button being palpated under theskin and in addition, eases the passage of the first button through thehole as will be explained hereinafter Button material: Titanium,stainless steel, PEEK or PLLA Button apertures: 2 apertures (triangularin plan shape) Aperture dimensions: 2 mm base × 2 mm perpendicularheight (equilateral triangle with chamfered corners), 1 mm distancebetween first and second apertures Second Button Overall dimensions: 5.5mm (diameter) × 1.27 mm (thickness) Basic shape: Round in plan shape,with chamfered or rounded corners and edges Button material: Titanium,stainless steel, PEEK or PLLA Button apertures: 4 apertures (circular inplan shape), centers of the apertures at about 1.27 mm from the centerof the button Aperture dimensions: 0.95 mm (diameter) (free of burrs orsharp edges) First suture strand Suture material: #2 FiberWire ®, bluein color (FiberWire ® is made of ultra-high molecular weightpolyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyester, braided over a UHMWPE core) Sutureuse: Looped twice through the first and second apertures of the firstand second buttons, leaving the two free ends of suture strand free fortying Pull-through needle 127 mm long straight needle with pull-throughsuture strand attached Pull-through suture strand Suture material: #2FiberWire ®, white in color (FiberWire ® is made of ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and polyester, braided over a UHMWPE core)Suture use: Looped once through an aperture of the first button, bothfree ends of pull-through suture strand being attached through the eyeof the pull-through needle Guidewire 1.2 mm (diameter) Cannulated DrillBit Stainless steel (material), 178 mm (length) × 2.7 mm (diameter),1.35 mm cannulation for a guidewire to pass through

The first suture strand 13 used in the present invention may be of anymaterial, which is suitable for this purpose, whether absorbable ornon-absorbable, provided it is sufficiently strong. A #2 FiberWire®suture strand, blue in color, is preferred. The #2 FiberWire® is abraided suture strand with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenecore and has almost twice the strength of a similarly sized genericsuture strand. The #2 FiberWire® suture strand is a non-absorbablesuture strand with increased abrasion-resistance, which knots easilywithout slipping.

The pull-through suture strand 14 used in the apparatus of the presentinvention may be formed of any suitable material, whether absorbable ornon-absorbable, provided it is sufficiently strong. A #2 FiberWire®suture strand, white in color, is preferred.

The pull-through needle 15 may be of any dimensions, provided it is longenough to span the foot. The tip 15 a of the pull-through needle 15 canbe either “taper cut” or “cutting.”

Referring to FIG. 4, a cannulated drill bit 16, preferably a 2.7 mmdrill bit, is used to drill a hole for the first suture strand 13 andthe pull-through suture strand 14. Alternatively, a K-wire (Kirschnerwire) may be used to drill the hole. The diameter of the hole must besufficient to permit the first button 12 to be pulled, lengthways,thereto.

Surgical technique

A patient's foot with a hallux valgus deformity that needs a bunionrepair is shown in FIG. 5A. FIGS. 5B-5K show a bunion repair surgicaltechnique using a distal approach for placement of the suture-buttonconstruct, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.First, the adductor tendon from the base of the proximal phalanx andfibular sesamoid is detached to realign the fibular sesamoid, as shownin FIG. 5B. The deep intermetatarsal ligament is then released to freeany sesamoid adhesions to the intermetatarsal ligament (FIG. 5B-1).Following the release of the adductor tendon, release of the lateralcapsule of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and release of theintermetatarsal ligament between the first metatarsal 20 and secondmetatarsal 21, the angular deformity of the hallux valgus is manuallytested. For a distal approach, a first incision 22 is made between thefirst and second metatarsals 20, 21 to release the inner space.

Referring to FIGS. 5C-5D, a longitudinal incision 23, as shown in FIGS.5C and 5C-1, over the medial aspect of the first metatarsophalangealjoint is made to expose the entire medial eminence. The medial eminencepreserving the sesamoid groove on the plantar aspect of the firstmetatarsal 20 is removed while avoiding excessive resection of themedial eminence.

Referring to FIG. 5E, using a C-Arm for guidance, a guidewire 24, asshown in the insert, preferably about 1.2 mm, is inserted across thefirst metatarsal 20 and through the second metatarsal 21. A guidewirepilot hole is formed just proximal to the excised medial eminence at aslight plantar-to-dorsal angle to ensure accurate pin placement andpenetration of the second metatarsal 21 at its midpoint. The entry pointon the second metatarsal 21 should be about 2-5 mm proximal to the neckof the second metatarsal head. As shown in FIG. 5E-1, using a cannulateddrill bit 16, preferably a 2.7 mm drill bit, a hole is drilled across afirst metatarsal and through a second metatarsal for the placement of asuture-button construct. Proper placement of the cannulated drill bit 16is confirmed with the C-Arm. Alternatively, a K-wire (Kirschner wire)may be used to drill the hole.

Referring to FIGS. 5F, 5F-1 and 5F-2, a pull-through needle 15,preferably a 1.2 mm guide pin, with a pull-through suture strand ispassed through the hole at an angle lateral of the second metatarsal 21to a medial of the first metatarsal 20 and stopped before a first button12 (FIG. 5G) enters the drill hole.

The pull-through suture strand 14 is pulled and a lateral tension issimultaneously applied on a first suture strand 13 such that the firstbutton 12 of the construct lies sideways for passage through the hole,as shown in FIG. 5G. The pull-through suture strand 14 is now advancedwhile the pull-through needle 15 is pulled medially. Alternatively, thepull-through needle 15 can be removed, leaving just the pull-throughsuture strand 14. A straight suture, preferably Micro SutureLasso™,AR-8703 sold by Arthrex, Inc., can then be used to pass the pull-throughsuture strand 14 through the hole in the first and second metatarsals20, 21 (FIG. 5G-1).

Referring to FIG. 5H, the first button 12 of the construct is thenadvanced through the hole until it exits the hole through the firstmetatarsal 20 on the medial side of the first metatarsal cortex. Oncethe first button 12 of the construct has exited the hole on the medialside of the first metatarsal 20 cortex, a lateral tension is applied onthe first suture strand 13 to seat the first button 12 against the firstmetatarsal 20. The pull-through suture strand 14 is then cut andremoved, as shown in FIG. 5I.

The surgeon may manually push the first metatarsal and the secondmetatarsal together to correct the intermetatarsal angular deformity.Once fluoroscopy confirms proper positioning, the free ends of a firstsuture strand 13 are pulled to advance the second button 11 of theconstruct to seat the second button 11 against the second metatarsal 21,as shown in FIGS. 5J and 5J-1. The free ends of the first suture strand13 are tied by making a surgeon's knot and two reverse half-hitches. Anyremaining first suture strand 13 is removed by cutting and pulling themout of the first and second buttons 20, 21 of the construct. Thepatient's foot subsequent to performing the bunion repair using a distalplacement surgical technique, in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention, is shown in FIG. 5K.

Referring to FIG. 5L, the surgical technique for repairing bunions usingthe suture-button construct, as described in the earlier paragraphs, mayalso be performed by inserting the cannulated guide wire by startingbetween about 2.5 cm and about 3.5 cm distal to metatarsal-cuneiformjoint on the first metatarsal just below midline, drilling a hole usinga cannulated drill bit into the superior second metatarsal metaphysealbone, observing under the C-arm, performing the plantarflexion of thethird metatarsal to allow passage of the guide pin, tightening the firstbutton 12 over the first metatarsal 20 and the second button 11 over thesecond metatarsal 21 by pulling on the first suture strand, and securingthe first suture strand by a knot.

The surgical method of the present invention can also optionally beperformed in the opposite direction as that described above, such thatthe first button 12 ends up on the lateral side of the second metatarsaland the second button 11 ends up on the first metatarsal 20.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 6, asuture anchor-button construct is used for bunion repair. The sutureanchor-button construct comprises a fully threaded suture anchor 30connected by suture extending therefrom to a round button 32, which ispreferably a cup-shaped button. The suture anchor 30 is inserted througha preformed hole formed in the first metatarsal and into a smallerdiameter preformed hole in the second metatarsal, which it is screwedinto place. After the first metatarsal and the second metatarsal arepushed together to correct the intermetatarsal angular deformity, thebutton 32 is advanced upon against the medial surface of the firstmetatarsal, with the cup of the button in the hole, and secured in placeby the tying the suture strands passing through the button.

Implant Removal

Routine removal of the suture-button construct is typically notrequired. If, for any reason, the buttons need to be removed, they canbe performed simply by small incisions over the first and the secondbutton, cutting the first suture strand as it loops through the buttonsand removing both the first and second buttons and the first suturestrand.

Post Operation

Following bunion repair using the suture-button construct of the presentinvention, the patient's foot is placed in a soft dressing and thepatient is allowed to bear weight with a walking boot or a postoperativestiff sole shoe. The patient is recommended to change the dressingweekly until suture removal at week two or three. Most patients areallowed to wear a comfortable shoe with a wide toebox about 4-5 weekssubsequent to the bunion repair procedure as illustrated above.

While the present invention is described herein with reference toillustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should beunderstood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those havingordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided hereinwill recognize additional modifications, applications, embodiments andsubstitution of equivalents all fall within the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by theforegoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of bunion repair comprising: drilling afirst diameter hole through a first metatarsal and a second diameterhole through a second metatarsal, the second diameter being less thanthe first diameter; passing a suture anchor with an attached suturestrand of a suture anchor-button construct through the hole in the firstmetatarsal and into the hole in the second metatarsal, and screwing thesuture anchor into the second metatarsal; manually pushing the firstmetatarsal and the second metatarsal together to correct intermetatarsalangular deformity; advancing the button of the suture anchor-buttonconstruct against a medial surface of the first metatarsal, and securingthe button in place.
 2. A method of bunion repair as recited in claim 1,wherein ends of the suture strand pass through apertures in the button,and the button is secured in place by tying the ends of the suturestrand together.
 3. A method of bunion repair as recited in claim 1,wherein the button of the suture anchor-button construct is a cup shapedbutton.
 4. A method of bunion repair as recited in claim 1, wherein thesuture strand is formed of a suture comprising a plurality of fibers ofultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising the initial step of making a longitudinal incisionover a medial aspect of a first metatarsophalangeal joint to expose amedial eminence; and removing the medial eminence.